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In spite of the high-density and strongly correlated nature of the atomic nucleus, experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that around particular ‘magic’ numbers of nucleons, nuclear properties are governed by a single unpaired nucleon1,2. A microscopic understanding of the extent of this behaviour and its evolution in neutron-rich nuclei remains an open question in nuclear physics3–5. The indium isotopes are considered a textbook example of this phenomenon6, in which the constancy of their electromagnetic properties indicated that a single unpaired proton hole can provide the identity of a complex many-nucleon system6,7. Here we present precision laser spectroscopy measurements performed to investigate the validity of this simple single-particle picture. Observation of an abrupt change in the dipole moment at N = 82 indicates that, whereas the single-particle picture indeed dominates at neutron magic number N = 82 (refs. 2,8), it does not for previously studied isotopes. To investigate the microscopic origin of these observations, our work provides a combined effort with developments in two complementary nuclear many-body methods: ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group and density functional theory (DFT). We find that the inclusion of time-symmetry-breaking mean fields is essential for a correct description of nuclear magnetic properties, which were previously poorly constrained. These experimental and theoretical findings are key to understanding how seemingly simple single-particle phenomena naturally emerge from complex interactions among protons and neutrons.Precision laser spectroscopy measurements of neutron-rich indium isotopes were performed to investigate the validity and identify limitations of theoretical descriptions of nuclei based on simple single-particle approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of sprouted grains and seeds to cereal products has been identified as one of the upcoming trends in recent market reports. In this study, seven types of sprouts (amaranth, brown millet, corn, lentil, lupin, pea, quinoa) were milled and characterised with respect to their compositional (starch, protein, fat, ash, fibre, moisture) and functional properties (water hydration properties). These sprouted flours were included in a gluten-free bread formulation at a level of 5% and the impact on dough (temperature-dependent rising behaviour, pasting and rheological properties) and bread quality parameters (volume, crumb structure and texture) was evaluated. Factors such as the method of germination and the botanical origin influenced the chemical composition of the applied raw material. The functional properties of the different malts and sprouts are affected by the chemical composition of the individual grains. The differences in functional properties were, in turn, found to affect the dough properties and the quality parameters of the baked gluten-free breads. However, statistical analysis showed no correlation between the various factors. Based on this, effects on dough and bread properties were hypothesised to be caused by a combination of multiple factors. All bread formulations containing sprouted flour had significantly improved bread quality parameters in comparison to the control (without sprouted flour). The addition of amaranth sprouted flour, however, resulted in the highest loaf volume and the softest breadcrumb, suggesting its potential for further investigations in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 10-day (D) study was conducted to evaluate changes in traditional and newer kidney safety biomarker expression levels in dogs. Animals received cisplatin (CDDP, 0.75 mg per kg per day) or 0.9% Saline (vehicle) for 5 days. Serum/urine samples were collected at various time points. Cage-side observations included emesis (D1-2/D4-D5/D7-9), absence of stool (D5-9/D11), soft stool (D4-7/D12), excessive salivation (D1/D3/D5-6), decreased food consumption (D5-8), decreased activity (D7-8) and/or dehydration (D7). Animals were necropsied when serum creatinine (sCr) levels measured at ≥1.9 mg dL−1, indicating significant loss of renal function; or at the end of the study (D11). When compared to controls, increases in BUN/sCr were detected on D3, D5 and/or D8. Increases in urinary total protein (Ur TP) were noted on D6. The moribund dog that was euthanized early on D7 showed insignificant increases in urinary osteopontin (Ur OPN), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (Ur NGAL), urinary clusterin (Ur CLU), sCr, serum cystatin C (sCYS C) and urinary cystatin C (Ur CYS C) on D5 when compared to controls. Insignificant increases in urinary albumin (Ur ALB) were observed from an animal that was euthanized on D7 and 1 : 2 surviving animals on D8 relative to baseline. From three dogs that were euthanized on D9, increases in Ur CLU, and/or sCYS C were noted on D8 relative to baseline. The two surviving dogs showed elevated Ur CLU and 1 : 2 surviving dogs showed elevated Ur CYS C. Decreased urinary kidney injury molecule 1 (Ur KIM-1) on D3/D5 was evident (versus baseline and controls). CDDP-induced cortico-medullary lesions were characterized as minimal to mild tubule degeneration/necrosis, dilatation, regeneration, cell alteration, intratubular casts, interstitial inflammation and vacuolization. Increased Ur OPN and Ur CLU correlated with enhanced OPN and CLU immunopositive staining in damaged cortical epithelium in the proximal tubules. Enhanced KIM-1 staining in damaged cortico-medullary tubular epithelium appeared in the absence of rises in Ur KIM-1. This study showed changes in kidney safety protein biomarkers associated with CDDP nephrotoxicity in dogs and possibly in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibration is commonly used in industrial parts feeding and alignment processes, and to provide energy to encourage mobility among self-assembling parts. We are studying a simple model of agitation where planar parts are repetitively thrown by a simple one- degree-of-freedom throwing surface, caught and allowed to settle. Throwing actions result in nonlinear discrete-time maps in the parts' configuration space, exhibiting behaviors such as unique fixed points and uncertainty-reducing forward limit sets with large basins of attraction. We show how to shape these maps by choosing the arm geometry, throwing velocity and mass parameters of the parts. In some cases, we can design a single map that is guaranteed to uniquely position and orient a part. In other cases, we can design multiple maps corresponding to different throw velocities such that the composition of the maps can be used to drive multiple parts to a desired assembly. Switching between the throw actions is triggered by simple sensors that recognize when the system has achieved a configuration in the basin of attraction of a subsequent map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a method of manipulating a planar rigid part on a conveyor belt using a robot with just one joint. This approach has the potential of offering a simple and flexible method for feeding parts in industrial automation applications. In this paper we develop a model of this system and of a variation which requires no sensing. We have been able to characterize these systems and to prove that they can serve as parts feeding devices for planar polygonal parts. We present the planners for these systems and describe our implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]